Centrifugal apparatus for electrolytic purposes.



No. 790,055. PATENTED MAY 16, 1905.

. R. v. HEUSER. GENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1904.

' WITNESSES.-

ATTORNEYS VNIITED STATES Patented May 16, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH V. HEUSER, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 790,055, dated May 16,1905.

Application filed September 17, 1904- Serial No. 224,826. I

To rtZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH V. HEUSER, a

citizen of Switzerland, and a resident of Erie, I in the county of Erieand State of Pennsyl Vania, have invented a new and Improved CentrifugalApparatus for Electrolytic Purposes, of which the following is a full,clear, and eX- act description.

My inventionrelates to electrolysis, and admits of general use, but isof peculiar value in relation to breaking up certain compounds by thejoint action of the electric current and of centrifugal force.

My invention further relates to certain improvements in the electrolyticapparatus.

I do not limit myself to'any particular apparatus or mechanism wherebythe objects desired may be accomplished. There are, however, certainparticular forms of mechanism 1 suitable for carrying out the process,and these forms I prefer to use, as is hereinafter described andclaimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, forminga part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts, the figure being a vertical section through oneform of my apparatus used more particularly for forming persulfate ofiron.

The apparatus is partly electrolytic and partly centrifugal.

In the apparatus shown the upper lid 40, the lower head 42, and the bodyportion are connected together into a sort of revoluble drum 41, whichconstitutes the centrifugal separator. The drum is rotated by means of arevoluble shaft 11, provided with a collector 12. The anode is shown at43 and is made, preferably, of lead. It is provided with small holes 44,through which a liquor can pass when subjected to centrifugal action.The separator is provided with a nozzle 45, to which is connected a pipe46, having a discharge nozzle 47 adapted to discharge into the trough48.. An air-pipe 49 supplies air to the discharge-nozzle 47, thuspreventing this pipe and the pipe 46 from acting as a siphon. Thecathode is shown at 50 and has, preferably, the form of a cylinderprovided with holes 51. Both the anode and the cathode are movable withthe separator. A pipe 52 is used for supplying the separator with theliquid to be operated'upon. A funnel 53, provided with a pipe 54,terminating in a nozzle 54, is also used for supplying liquids to theseparator. Supports 55 56 are used for holding the pipe 46 so as toprevent displacement thereof while the apparatus is in action.

The drum 41 is preferably made of tiling material. The drum 43 may beformed of separate sections soldered together or otherwise united. Thedrum may be properly braced against the action of centrifugal force.These details, however, are immaterial, as I do not limit myself to anyspecial construction.

The operation which is used particularly for manufacturing persulfate ofiron is as follows: Sulfuric acid (H2804) is supplied through the pipe'52 into the separator, while an aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate(FeSO is supplied through the funnel 53 and pipe 54. These liquidsdo'not admiX, because of their different densities, taken in connectionwith the action of the centrifugal force. The current now being appliedcauses the liberation of S01 in its nascent state at the anode 43 andforms persulfate of iron FG2(SO4)3- This substance has a comparativelyhigh specific gravity, and consequently any centrifugal force tends toforce the same outwardly, it thus passing through the holes 44 andfinding its way through the nozzle 45, tube 46, and dischargepipe 47from whence it passes into the trough 48. As the sulfuric acid (H2801)is comparatively light, it is'nearer' the center of the apparatus thanthe other liquids, and thus assumes a favorable positionwith regard tothe character of the electrodes and the direction of the current. Inthe'course of time the anode becomes coated with peroXid of lead,

. (Pb602,) and this latter improves the action.

In the form of the apparatus above described the process is continuousand is con- My apparatus by comparison with others more or lessanalogous thereto presents the following advantages, to wit: first,comparatively great output per unit of weight of apparatus employed andlarge percentage of the product as compared with the quantity of brineemployed; second, greater current density at the cathode; third, the useof mercury is not required; fourth, the process is continuous andcapable of being carried out without stopping the apparatus fromrunning; fifth, a considerable amount of labor is saved; sixth, theapparatus can be given comparatively large proportions and yet be undercomplete control of the operator; seventh, the anodes possess greatdurability; eighth, no colloidal member or diaphragm is required.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent--- 1. In an apparatus of the character described, thecombination of a revoluble vessel, means for causing said vessel torevolve, an anode mounted within said vessel and having the form of aperforated drum, and a cathode mounted within said revoluble vessel.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of arcvoluble vessel, an anodeof substantially annular form mounted therein,a cathode mounted within said revoluble vessel and encircled by saidanode, said cathode being provided with perforations, and means forcausing said vessel to revolve.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of arevoluble vessel, an anode mounted therein and provided withperforations through which a liquid may pass when actuated bycentrifugal force, a cathode mounted within said revoluble vessel andlikewise provided with perforations through which a liquid may pass,means for supplying said liquid to said revoluble vessel, and mechanismfor causing said vessel to revolve.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

RALPH V. I'IEUSER.

Witnesses:

\V. S. CARROLL, R. H. Grinswom).

